Salt-spout



(7. B. KNOX.

SALT SPOUT. APPLICATION FILED 0m. 8, 1920-.

Mayne Cu; Alt TF3 f v x TTOEA/E Patented July 5, 1921.

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CULVER IB. KNOX, 0F GLEN RIDGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE WHITEHEAE & HOAG COMPANY, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, A. CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

SALT-SPOU'T.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 5, 1921.

Application filed October 8, 1920. Serial No. 415,695.

' This invention relates to certain improvements in pouring spouts for receptacles used to hold powdered material such as sugar,

salt, or any substance capable of being discharged through a relatively small opening.

The object of the invention is the production of a spout of relatively-simple and inexpensive construction that will effectively perform the desired functions of such a device, and which by reason of its inherent resiliency normally assumes a substantially flat or plane form, thereby closing the opening through the wall of the container without materially obstructing the interior of the container, the edged portions, or wings of the device constituting flexible means for holding the spout in its closed position.

Other objects and advantages relate to the details of form and construction of the device, as will more fully appear from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan vie-w of the spout applied to the cover of a receptacle.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the same. F Fig. 3 .is a cross section on line 83,

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1, illustrating the spout in its open or pouring position. F ig. 5 is a cross section on line 5-5,

The spout, as illustrated, consists of a substantially flat sheet of material cut in the form shown, and may be constructed of any suitable flexible resilient material such as celluloid, or products of a similar nature, or

other material having the desired flexibility 1 wings 2- and -3, the central portion having its'opposite ends provided with projecting tongues 4- and -5 respectively, and the wings 2- and 3 hav- 1ng at theinouter edges substantially radially pro ect1ng lugs, or stops, 6. and 7 respectively.

The device so shaped is adapted for cooperation with the wall of the receptacle formed with an opening similar in shape to the central or top portion 1 of the spout. The walls of this opening are formed along straight lines the opening being narrower atthe end wlth which the tongue 5- is adapted to engage, such tongue resting upon the outer surface of the wall of therecepta cle at one end of the opening, and the tongue 4 resting upon the outer surface of the wall of the receptacle at theother end of the opening.

.The device is readily .insertible in the opening in the receptacle at any time by merely bending it to the desired spout shape form, then inserting the lugs 6- and 7- tendency to assume a fiat position, the device automatically springs to closed position.

The wings 2- and 3; should be of suflicient width at their rear portions -9- and 10 to resiliently grip the adjacent tapered side walls of the opening when the spout is moved about the flap 5- as a pivot to thereby frictionally hold that end 7 of thespout in position at the opening. 1 By merely gripping the tongue 4, the spout 'is readlly flexed and moved to open pouring position until the lugs 6 and 7 engage the wall 8 of the containen. In such position the spout is of substantially arched form in cross-section, and tapers toward the end which carries the tongue 5.

In closed position of the spout, the wings 2- and 3- lie in substantial contact with the interior surface of the'container so as not to obstruct the space within the container and so that the weight of the contained material pressing these wings against the wall of the container normally assists the resiliency of the device in maintaining the device in position to close the opening through the container wall.

v The construction and operation of the device will be readily understood from the drawings, and, the foregoing description, and although I have shown and described a tially U-shaped form and of returning by its own resiliency to substantially flat form after each flexing operation.

2. The combination with a receptacle having an opening through a wall thereof of a pouring spout, comprising-a substantially flat sheet of flexible material, capable --of being flexed in substantially. U-shaped form, and of returning by its own resiliency to substantially flat form after each flexing operation, said sheet having tongues projecting in opposite directions therefrom and adapted to engage the exterior of said cover.

3. The combination with a receptacle having an opening through a wall thereof, of a pouring spout, comprising a substantially flat sheet of flexible material, capable of be- .ing flexed in substantially U-shaped form,

and of returning by its own resiliency to substantially flat form after each flexing operation, said sheet having tongues projecting in opposite directions therefrom and adapted to engage the exterior of said cover, and additional flanges projecting therefrom adapted to engage the interior ofthe cover when the spout is flexed and moved to pouring position.

4. The combination with a container ,formed with a dispensing opening of a substantially flat sheet of flexible material having a central portion .adapted to substantially close said opening, and wing portions positioned within the receptacle, said sheet beingcapable of being flexed by the walls of said opening to substantially U-shaped form- Leeann when drawn therethrough by tension ap-- plied upon the front edge of the central portion of said sheet, and of returning by its own resiliency to substantially flat form after each flexing operation.

5. The combination with a container it the inner sfirface of said'receptacle to limit the outward flexing movement of said sheet.

6. The combination with a container formed with a dispensing opening, of a substantially flat sheet of celluloid having a central portion adapted to close said opening, and wing portions positioned within the receptacle, and a flange projecting from said central portion and adapted to contact with the outer surface of said receptacle, said sheet capable of being flexedby the walls of said opening to substantially U-shaped form when drawn therethrough by tension applied to the sheet, and of returning by its ownresilienc to substantially flat form after each flexlng operation, and lugs formed in connection with said sheet adapted to contact with the interior surface of said receptacle to limit the outward flexing move ment of said sheet.

In witness whereof lf have hereunto set my hand this 4th day of October 1920.

onnvnn n. KNOX;

Witnesses:

llsnnnr. lEt. BALDWIN, W. J. Amonrnrz. 

